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🇧🇪 Belgium /Energy & Infrastructure

Greenland issues stern warning to U.S. oil firm linked to Trump over drilling preparations

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Greenland issued a stern warning to White Flame Energy A/S for bringing equipment ashore without proper permits for oil drilling.
  • The British company, a subsidiary of 80 Mile plc, holds exclusive oil and gas exploration rights in Jameson Land but lacked authorization for the material transfer.
  • Tensions between the U.S. and Greenland are heightened due to the involvement of Texas-based Greenland Energy, which has ties to President Trump's circle.

Greenland has issued a strong warning to the British energy company White Flame Energy A/S. The company brought equipment ashore for oil drilling operations without the necessary permits. The British newspaper The Guardian reports that an American company is behind the oil drilling plans, with clear links to former U.S. President Donald Trump, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Greenland.

White Flame Energy A/S has brought material ashore in connection with planned oil drilling.

— Ministry of Industry and MineralsThe Ministry of Industry and Minerals issued a statement regarding the unauthorized landing of equipment.

White Flame Energy A/S, a subsidiary of the British energy firm 80 Mile plc, possesses exclusive rights for oil and gas exploration on the Jameson Land peninsula in northeast Greenland. While Greenland decided in 2021 to halt new oil and gas exploration licenses to protect the environment, existing licenses were grandfathered in. White Flame Energy A/S had secured a 10-year license in 2018, granting them the right to explore for oil and gas for commercial purposes.

The company had the right to drill but lacked the permits to land the equipment. The government of Greenland stated that the permit for landing equipment had expired and was pending renewal, but the application was under review. White Flame Energy A/S had arranged to store the equipment at Greenland Airport until the required approvals were obtained.

The license holder therefore has an agreement with Greenland Airport to store the material there, until the necessary approvals have been obtained.

— Government of GreenlandThe government explained the arrangement for storing the equipment at the airport.

While initially appearing to be a simple administrative error, The Guardian highlighted that Greenland's "strong warning" was prompted by the involvement of the American oil company Greenland Energy from Texas. Greenland Energy claims there could be as much as $1 billion worth of crude oil beneath Jameson Land. The incident underscores the complex geopolitical and environmental considerations surrounding resource exploration in Greenland.

The license holder receives a stern warning that all future logistical matters must be submitted to and approved.

— Government of GreenlandThe government conveyed its official warning to the company.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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